Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M39/16—Tube connectors; Tube couplings having provision for disinfection or sterilisation
  • A61M39/162—Tube connectors; Tube couplings having provision for disinfection or sterilisation with antiseptic agent incorporated within the connector
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M39/16—Tube connectors; Tube couplings having provision for disinfection or sterilisation
  • A61M39/18—Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/16—Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
  • A61L2/18—Liquid substances
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/26—Accessories
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/20—Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2103/00—Materials or objects being the target of disinfection or sterilisation
  • A61L2103/15—Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2202/15—Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M2039/1033—Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors

Definitions

• the present disclosure generally relates to a device for disinfecting and sterilizing access ports with, e.g., male and female Luer fitting, and, in particular, to disinfecting and sterilizing devices capable of accommodating multiple types of connectors.
• embodiments herein relate to the fields of threaded fitting, including medical caps and medical disinfection caps, and in particular caps and/or disinfection caps for uses with fluid Luer connectors.
• VAD's vascular access devices
• IV catheters intravenous catheters
• peripheral catheters and central venous catheters.
• Bacteria and other microorganisms may gain entry into a patient’s vascular system from access hubs and ports/valves upon connection to the VAD to deliver the fluid or pharmaceutical.
• Each access hub or port/valve or connection
• CBSI catheter related bloodstream infection
• Disinfection caps have been added to the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) guidelines and early indications are that caps will also be incorporated into the 2016 Infusion Nurses Standards (INS) guidelines.
• SHEA Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
• INS Infusion Nurses Standards
• a needleless connector In developed markets, when utilizing an IV catheter, a needleless connector will typically be used to close off the system and then subsequently accessed to administer medication or other necessary fluids via the catheter to the patient.
• INS Standards of Practice recommend the use of a needleless connector and state that it should be "consistently and thoroughly disinfected using alcohol, tincture of iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate/alcohol combination prior to each access.”
• the disinfection of the needleless connector is ultimately intended to aid in the reduction of bacteria that could be living on the surface and possibly lead to a variety of catheter related complications including CRBSI. Nurses will typically utilize a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) pad to complete this disinfection task by doing what is known as 2
• IPA isopropyl alcohol
• caps for male needleless connectors, female needleless connectors, intravenous (IV), and hemodialysis lines use different designs and are, therefore, limited to the types of connectors to which the cap can be attached.
• male disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting IS 0594-2 type of female threaded fluid Luer connectors and there are female disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting IS0594-2 type of male threaded fluid Luer connectors.
• female disinfecting cap devices for disinfecting IS0594-2 type of male threaded fluid Luer connectors there is not a singular universal disinfecting cap device with features allowing it to interface with either a male or female type of threaded connectors.
• prior disinfecting caps were designed to fit one type of connector only, and were specific to one particular size and/or shape of connector.
• a disinfecting device capable of accommodating multiple types of connectors, including both male and female connectors, to streamline the disinfecting process.
• disinfectant ingress is a consideration because ingress of disinfectant can compromise safety to patients. Disinfectant ingress is to be mitigated to non-toxic levels according to toxicology standards. While needleless connectors have septa in them to form a closed system by themselves, there is a need for disinfecting caps used with medical connectors such as male connectors on IV tubing end and open female Luer ports on catheters and stopcocks, to minimize ingress of disinfectant, such as isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine, into the central lumen of the connectors.
• medical connectors such as male connectors on IV tubing end and open female Luer ports on catheters and stopcocks
• a cap comprises: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity; and a pressure seal attached to the housing and disposed adjacent to a surface of the disinfection sponge.
• the disinfection sponge upon engagement of the cap with the medical connector, contacts a lumen edge of the medical connector and the pressure seal blocks a lumen of the medical connector thereby inhibiting disinfectant ingress into the lumen.
• the lumen of the medical connector is open to the cap, the pressure seal enters the lumen to inhibit disinfectant ingress into the lumen.
• the pressure seal is positioned to avoid creating a fluid path through the septum.
• the disinfection sponge comprises a slotted end; an essentially cylindrical sponge sidewall defining a hollow and an open end; and a sponge end wall.
• the slotted end of the disinfection sponge comprises a slot that extends into opposing portions of the sponge sidewall.
• the slot extends along opposing portions of the sponge sidewall to the open end.
• the pressure seal is disposed in the hollow of the disinfection sponge.
• the pressure seal in an uncompressed state, is disposed entirely in the hollow.
• the sponge end wall is in direct contact with an interior surface of the top wall.
• the pressure seal comprises an elongate member and an insert, wherein: the elongate member extends from an interior surface of the top wall of the housing; and the insert comprises: a bottom wall, and an essentially cylindrical insert sidewall, the insert sidewall forming a chamber and a top edge of the insert sidewall defining an aperture; the insert slidably engaging with the elongate member.
• an inside surface of the top edge slidably engages with the elongate member.
• the elongate member comprises a shoulder section, a slanted section, and one or more sliding sections.
• the insert comprises a plurality of prongs defined by portions of the insert sidewall and the top edge separated by slits.
• faces of the prongs slidably engage with the elongate member.
• an outside geometry of the insert sidewall comprises a tapered surface effective to complement an inner surface of a lumen of the medical connector.
• the insert comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or combinations thereof.
• TPE thermoplastic elastomer
• the pressure seal comprises a flexible insert attached to an interior surface of the top wall of the housing.
• the flexible insert comprises an elastomeric polymeric material.
• the flexible insert comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and an essentially cylindrical and porous insert sidewall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall.
• the top wall of the flexible insert further comprises an extension that engages with an upper lip the protrusion.
• the flexible insert is breathable.
• a cap comprising: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of 5 a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity, the disinfection sponge comprising a slotted end; an essentially cylindrical sponge sidewall defining a hollow and an open end; and a sponge end wall; and a pressure seal disposed in the hollow
• an inside surface of the top edge slidably engages with the elongate member.
• the elongate member comprises a shoulder section, a slanted section, and one or more sliding sections.
• the insert sidewall comprises a plurality of prongs defined by portions of the insert sidewall and the top edge separated by slits.
• faces of the prongs slidably engage with the elongate member.
• an outside geometry of the insert sidewall comprises a tapered surface effective to compliment an inner surface of a lumen of the medical connector.
• the insert comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or combinations thereof. 6
• a cap comprising: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity, the disinfection sponge comprising a slotted end; an essentially cylindrical sponge sidewall defining a hollow and an open end; and a sponge end wall; and a pressure seal disposed in the hollow of the
• the flexible insert comprises an elastomeric polymeric material.
• the flexible insert comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and an essentially cylindrical and porous insert sidewall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall.
• the top wall of the flexible insert further comprises an extension that engages with an upper lip the protrusion.
• the flexible insert is breathable.
• the medical connector is selected from a male
• Luer connector a female Luer connector, and a needleless connector.
• the disinfection sponge comprises a disinfectant, an antimicrobial agent, or combinations thereof.
• the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting essentially of: isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, 2-propanol, butanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole 7
• the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent comprises at least one of chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine diacetate.
• the protrusion is integrally-formed with the housing.
• the protrusion is attached to an interior surface of the top wall of the housing.
• the protrusion is snap-fix or adhered to the interior surface of the top wall of the housing.
• the protrusion comprises an upper lip that engages with an elongate ring extending from an inner surface of the top wall of the housing.
• a further aspect is: a method of disinfecting a medical connector comprising: connecting the cap of any preceding embodiment to a medical connector by engaging threads of the medical connector onto the inner thread or the outer thread of the protrusion such that an edge of the medical connector contacts the disinfection sponge and the pressure seal inhibits disinfectant ingress into a lumen of the medical connector.
• An aspect provides a medical assembly comprising the cap of any of embodiment disclosed herein.
• the medical connector is a female medical connector with a male threaded fitting selected from the group consisting of: a needleless connector, a stopcock, a female Luer connector, and a catheter connector.
• the medical connector is a male medical connector with a female threaded fitting selected from the group consisting of: an intravenous tubing end and a male Luer connector.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an exemplary medical assembly according to an embodiment
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional perspective top view of an exemplary cap according to an embodiment
• FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of a housing according to an exemplary embodiment
• FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the elongate member of FIG.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an insert according to according to an embodiment
• FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective top view of the insert of FIG. 5
• FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an insert according to another embodiment
• FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective top view of an disinfection sponge according to an embodiment
• FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of the disinfection sponge of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of a disinfection sponge according to another embodiment
• FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of the cap according to FIG. 2;
• FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional perspective top view of an exemplary cap according to an embodiment
• FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a flexible insert according to an embodiment
• FIG. 14 illustrates a partial perspective top view of a flexible insert according to another embodiment
• FIG. 15 illustrates a partial perspective top view of an flexible insert according to another embodiment
• FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of the cap according to FIG. 12;
• FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section side view and a female medical connector in a partial side schematic view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 18A illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section side view and a male connector in a partial schematic view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 18B illustrates a cross-section of the male connector of FIGS. 18A and 21;
• FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section perspective top view and a female connector in a partial side perspective view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section side view and a female medical connector in a partial side view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section side view and a male connector in a partial schematic side view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary assembly showing a cap in a cross-section perspective top view and a female connector according to an embodiment
• FIG. 23 diagrammatically illustrates a cap in a cross-section side view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective top view of a flexible insert according to an embodiment
• FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective cross-section view of the flexible insert according to FIG. 24 in combination with a protrusion according to an embodiment.
• Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a sterile, universal cap with pressure seal for connection to and disinfection of a medical connector, including male connectors and female connectors.
• the male connectors and female connectors can be male Luer connectors and female Luer connectors.
• Embodiments of the cap comprise a housing, a protrusion, a disinfection sponge, and a pressure seal.
• the cap comprises housing having a closed end and an open end.
• the sidewall of the housing has a length extending from the closed end to an open end and defining a chamber.
• the open end includes a peripheral ledge extending radially outward from the open end defining an end face and an engagement surface.
• the protrusion has an inner surface having one or more threads to engage male threads of a female medical connector, for example, a female Luer connector.
• An outer surface of the protrusion has one or more threads to engage female threads of a male medical connector, for example, a male Luer connector.
• the disinfection sponge is located in a cavity defined by the inner surface of the protrusion.
• the pressure seal is attached to the housing and disposed adjacent to a surface of the disinfection sponge.
• the pressure seal comprises a flexible insert attached to an interior surface of the top wall of the housing.
• the pressure seal comprises a combination of: an elongate member and an insert. The elongate member extends from an interior surface of the top wall of the housing; and can be integrally-formed with the housing; and the insert can be a slidable insert that is slidably engaged with the elongate member.
• the universal disinfecting caps with pressure seals disclosed herein are advantageous because the inclusion of a pressure seal minimizes ingress of disinfectant, such as isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine, into the central lumen of medical connectors.
• disinfectant such as isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine
• These caps may be used with medical connectors, such as male connectors on IV tubing end and open female Luer ports on catheters and stopcocks.
• the universal disinfecting caps with pressure seals disinfecting caps herein have the benefit of being capable of holding pressure which can mitigate and/or prevent 11 fluid leakage, waste of medication, spill of hazardous drug, or even patients losing blood, which can happen under some circumstances, e.g., by non-compliance or by accident, when clamps and/or rollers on IV tubing or valves on stopcocks are not fully closed.
• CRBSI catheter related bloodstream infection
• Luer connector refers to a connection collar that is the standard way of attaching syringes, catheters, hubbed needles, IV tubes, etc. to each other.
• the Luer connector consists of male and female interlocking tubes, slightly tapered to hold together better with even just a simple pressure/twist fit. Luer connectors can optionally include an additional outer rim of threading, allowing them to be more secure.
• the Luer connector male end is generally associated with a flush syringe and can interlock and connect to the female end located on the vascular access device (VAD).
• VAD vascular access device
• a Luer connector comprises a distal end, a proximal end, an irregularly shaped outer wall, a profiled center passageway for fluid communication from the chamber of the barrel of a syringe to the hub of a VAD.
• a Luer connector also has a distal end channel that releasably attaches the Luer connector to the hub of a VAD, and a proximal end channel that releasably attaches the Luer connector to the barrel of a syringe.
• Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide caps that can reduce the number of device types and logistics currently needed in the hospital setting for connecting, capping, and/or disinfecting male and female threaded fluid Luer connectors, by roughly half by including in a single cap or device features allowing it to be use with both male and female threaded fittings.
• a cap, connector cap or disinfecting cap includes integrated thread, or threads, and other features in any and all combinations allowing it to interface with both male and female threaded fittings.
• Male threaded fittings are present on female Luer connectors.
• Female threaded fittings are present on male Luer connectors.
• the threads can be sufficient to interlock with a mating feature (such as one or more protrusions, lugs and/or thread) of a hub or tip of a needleless connector, as described for example in related U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 15/408,278 and 15/408,187, both filed on January 17, 2017.
• both of the male and female threads coincide with each other on the inner and outer face of the threaded protrusion.
• female threads are sized and have a thread pattern that will engage with a standard IS 0594-2 type of male fitting and/or a male threads that are sized and have a thread pattern that will engage with a standard IS0594-2 type of female fitting.
• An example of an IS0594-2 type of fitting is a Q-style fitting.
• the cap is compatible with ISO80369-7 connectors.
• the female connector may be selected from the group consisting essentially of needle-free connectors, catheter Luer connectors, stopcocks, and hemodialysis connectors.
• the needleless connector is selected from a Q-Syte connector, MaxPlus, MaxPlus Clear, MaxZero, UltraSite, Caresite, InVision-Plus, Safeline, OneLink, V-Link, ClearLink, NeutraClear, Clave, MicroClave, MicroClave Clear, Neutron, NanoClave, Kendall, Nexus, InVision, Vadsite, Bionector, etc.
• the male connector may be an intravenous tubing end, a stopcock or male lock Luer. 13
• the caps herein can achieve disinfection when used on Luer connectors by integrating a disinfection sponge in a cavity of the caps.
• the caps are designed to be compatible in interacting with various disinfectants.
• the disinfectant of the disinfectant sponge may include variations of alcohol or chlorhexidine.
• the disinfectant is selected from the group consisting essentially of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, 2-propanol, butanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene, t-butyl- hydroquinone, chloroxylenol, chlorohexidine, chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorohexidine gluconate, povidone iodine, alcohol, dichlorobenzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, hexetidine, triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, octenidine, antibiotic, and mixtures thereof.
• the disinfectant comprises at least one of chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine diacetate.
• the disinfectant is selected from the group consisting essentially of isopropyl alcohol,
• FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an exemplary medical assembly 20 according to an embodiment, wherein a cap 5 according to any embodiment disclosed herein is attached to a medical connector 10, which is attached to, for example, tubing 15.
• the caps herein are suitable for attaching to both male and/or female medical connectors.
• the male and/or female connectors in turn are used to connect to medical devices such as catheters and tubing.
• FIG. 2 an exploded cross-sectional perspective top view along longitudinal axis “a” of an exemplary cap according to an embodiment is provided.
• a cap 100 comprises a 14 housing 102, a protrusion 114, an elongate member 130, an insert 150, and a disinfection sponge 200.
• a pressure seal is a combination of: the elongate member 130 and the insert 150, the insert 150 comprising a top edge 151 and a bottom wall 152, between which spans a sidewall 154 of the insert 150.
• the top edge 151 of the insert 150 comprises an inside surface 158.
• the insert 150 engages with the elongate member 130 along the inside surface 158 of the top edge 151.
• the insert 150 snap-fits onto the elongate member 130. Upon assembly, the insert 150 resides in a hollow 206 defined by the disinfection sponge 200.
• the housing 102 comprises a top wall 104, a sidewall 106, a protrusion 114, and an elongate member 130.
• the sidewall 106 is essentially cylindrical.
• the sidewall 106 defines a first cavity 112 and an open bottom 108, the open bottom 108 defining opening 110.
• the elongate member 130 extends from a first end 138 attached to an inside surface of the top wall 104 of the housing 102 to a second end 140.
• the protrusion 114 is positioned within the first cavity 112 and can be essentially cylindrical and coaxial with the sidewall 106.
• the opening 110 is disposed at the open bottom 108 of the housing 102.
• An inner surface of the top wall 104 can form a top of cavity 112.
• the protrusion 114 is integrally formed with the housing 102.
• the protrusion 114 is attached to the top wall 104 of the housing 102 by, for example, a snap-fit attachment.
• a second cavity 120 of the housing 102 is defined by an inner surface 116 of the protrusion 114.
• the inner surface 116 includes inner threads 122.
• the protrusion 114 also has an outer surface 118, including outer threads 124.
• the inner threads 122 have a size and pitch to engage a threaded fitting of a female connector, such as for example, a female Luer connector.
• the inner threads 122 are sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the female needleless connector such as a threaded fitting with male threads.
• the outer threads 124 are sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a male needleless connector such as a threaded fitting with female threads.
• the protrusion 114 can include one or more cantilevered prongs separated by one or more respective gaps.
• at least one of the prongs can be configured to bend to facilitate interference fit between the protrusion and the mating feature of a male needleless connector or female needleless connector.
• protrusion 114 can extend 15 essentially from an inner surface of the top wall 104 toward the open bottom 108 of the housing 102. In one or more embodiments, the protrusion 114 can extend essentially parallel to the sidewall 106 of the housing.
• FIG. 4 a partial cross-sectional view of the elongate member 130 shows an upper sliding section 136a, which extends from the first end 138 (not shown) continuing into an inward tapered slanted section 134.
• the slanted section 134 ends to meet a shoulder section 132 of the elongate member 130.
• a lower sliding section 136b At the second end 140 of the elongate member 130 is a lower sliding section 136b.
• An insert slidably engages with the elongate member 130.
• FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view and FIG. 6 provides a perspective top view of the insert 150 according to according to an embodiment.
• the insert 150 which may be referred to as a slidable insert, comprises a substantially cylindrical body having the bottom wall 152, which is closed, and the top edge 151, which is open, between which spans the sidewall 154.
• the top edge 151 radially hangs over the insert sidewall 154 defining an aperture 160.
• the sidewall 154 defines a chamber 156 within the insert.
• a plurality of slits 164 exists radially around the top edge 151, which define multiple prongs 162 around top edge 151 of the insert 150.
• the faces 158 of the prongs 162 are chamfered from the top edge 151 of the insert 150.
• the prongs 162 have bottom ends defined by where each slit ends 166a, 166b, 166c, 166d.
• the slits 164 provide flexibility to each prong 162, allowing the insert 150 to slide along an elongate member (e.g., item 130 of FIGS. 2-3) when a force along the central axis (e.g., “a” of FIG. 2) is applied, such as when a needless connector or IV tubing end is attached to the cap.
• the insert can be made of plastic, or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a blend of plastic (such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE)) with TPE material.
• TPE thermoplastic elastomer
• PP polypropylene
• PE polyethylene
• the insert is suitable for universal disinfecting caps to be used on, for example, both needleless connectors and stopcocks.
• the pressure seal comprising an elongate member and insert can be included in caps that are not unisex as well, including but not limited to female disinfecting caps such as BD PureHubTM.
• the pressure seal would permit the female disinfecting caps to be used with stopcocks.
• a cap comprises: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and an inner thread on an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a medical connector; a 16 disinfection sponge configured within the first cavity; and an elongate member attached to the housing, and an insert slidably engaged with the elongate member and disposed adjacent to a surface of the disinfection sponge.
• FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view an insert 170 according to according to another embodiment, which comprises a tapered edge.
• the insert 170 which may be referred to as a slidable insert, comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a bottom wall 172, which is closed, and a top edge 171, which is open, between which spans a sidewall 174.
• the top edge 171 radially hangs over the insert sidewall 174 defining an aperture 180.
• the sidewall 174 defines a chamber 176 within the insert.
• a plurality of slits 184 exists radially around the top edge 171, which define multiple prongs 182 around top edge 171 of the insert 170.
• the faces 178 of the prongs 182 are chamfered from the top edge 171 of the insert 170.
• the prongs 182 have bottom ends defined by where each slit ends 186a, 186b, 186c, 186d.
• the bottom wall 172 further comprises a tapered edge 188, which may be configured to complement a connector and/or medical device for creating sealed contact.
• the external geometry of the insert 150 has the tapered edge 188 with a range of angles that can be sufficiently complementary to a Luer taper.
• the caps of the disclosure comprise a disinfectant sponge, which allows a practitioner to streamline the disinfecting process.
• FIG. 8 provides a perspective top view
• FIG. 9 provides a cross-sectional perspective top view of a disinfection sponge, which is substantially symmetrical, according to an embodiment.
• a disinfection sponge 200 has a generally cylindrical body with sidewall 204 spanning between a slotted end 202 and an open end 208 having an end wall 210. In the embodiment of FIGS.
• slot 212 extends into opposing portions of the sidewall 204 through a diameter of the slotted end 202. In one or more embodiments, the slot 212 extends less than about halfway along the sidewall 204.
• the sidewall 204 defines a hollow 206.
• the slot allows, for example, a Luer tip of a male Luer connector to be inserted in the hollow cylinder cavity so the sponge side wall can interact with a side surface of the male Luer connector and release the disinfectant onto a Luer surface.
• the slot opens when the male Luer connector is threaded onto the cap and the Luer opens up the slot by pushing both sides of the sponge away. 17
• FIG. 10 provides a cross-sectional perspective top view of a disinfection sponge, which is substantially symmetrical, according to another embodiment.
• a disinfection sponge 201 has a generally cylindrical body with sidewall 205 spanning between a slotted end 202 and an open end 209 having an end wall 211.
• slot 213 extends from the end wall 311 along the sidewall 205 through a diameter of the slotted end 202.
• the sidewall 205 defines a hollow 207.
• the slots may have intermittent connections between portions of the sidewall 205 so that the sponge is a single piece for handling.
• the slot allows, for example, a Luer tip of a male Luer connector to be inserted in the hollow cylinder cavity so the sponge side wall can interact with a side surface of the male Luer connector and release the disinfectant onto a Luer surface.
• the slot opens when the male Luer connector is threaded onto the cap and the Luer opens up the slot by pushing both sides of the sponge away.
• FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of the cap according to FIG. 2 in assembled form.
• the cap 100 comprises the housing 102, the top wall 104, the sidewall 106, the open bottom 108 defining the opening 110, the protrusion 114, and the elongate member 130 is shown with the insert 150 snap-fit into position.
• the insert 150 resides in a hollow defined by the disinfection sponge 200, which in turn resides in the cavity defined by the inner surface of the protrusion 114.
• the sidewall 106 defines a cavity 112, which is available for receipt of a hub of a connector.
• the disinfection sponge 200 upon assembly, is in direct contact with an interior surface of the top wall 104.
• a peel seal can be provided to seal the opening 110 prior to use of cap 100, for example, by attachment to a surface of a rim of the open bottom 108 of housing 102.
• the peelable seal comprises an aluminum or multi-layer polymer film peel back top.
• the peelable seal is heat-sealed or induction sealed to the open end of the cap.
• the peelable seal comprises a moisture barrier.
• the cap 100 can receive a tip or hub of a needleless connector, for example after the peel seal sealing cavity is removed or when the peal sealing film is pierced, within the cavity 112 and secure, for example, threadedly, the tip of the needleless connector within the cavity 112.
• a cap 300 comprises a housing 302, a top wall 304, a sidewall 306 that is substantially cylindrical, and a protrusion 314.
• the sidewall 306 is essentially cylindrical.
• the sidewall 306 defines a first cavity 312 and an open bottom 308, the open bottom 308 defining opening 310.
• the protrusion 314 is positioned within the first cavity 312 and can be essentially cylindrical and coaxial with the sidewall 306.
• the opening 310 is disposed at the open bottom 308 of the housing 302.
• An inner surface of the top wall 304 can form a top of cavity 312.
• the protrusion 314 is integrally formed with the housing 302. In another embodiment, the protrusion 314 is attached to the top wall 304 of the housing 302 by, for example, a snap-fit attachment.
• a second cavity 320 of the housing 302 is defined by an inner surface 316 of the protrusion 314.
• the inner surface 316 includes inner threads 322.
• the protrusion 314 also has an outer surface 318, including outer threads 324.
• the inner threads 322 have a size and pitch to engage a threaded fitting of a female connector, such as for example, a female Luer connector. Such connectors are generally and commonly used as catheter and other fluid-tight protective connectors in medical applications.
• the protrusion 314 can include one or more cantilevered prongs separated by one or more respective gaps. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the prongs can be configured to bend to facilitate interference fit between the protrusion and the mating feature of a male needleless connector or female needleless connector. In one or more embodiments, protrusion 314 can extend essentially from an inner surface of the top wall 304 toward the open bottom 308 of the housing 302. In one or more embodiments, the protrusion 314 can extend essentially parallel to the sidewall 306 of the housing.
• a pressure seal is a flexible insert 350 comprising a top edge 351 and a bottom wall 352, between which spans a sidewall 354 of the flexible insert 350.
• the bottom wall 352 of the flexible insert 350 comprises a tapered surface 355.
• the insert 350 resides in a hollow 206 defined by disinfection sponge 200.
• the flexible insert is disposed entirely in the hollow when in an uncompressed state. 19
• FIG. 13 provides a perspective bottom view of the flexible insert 350 according to according to an embodiment.
• the flexible insert 350 comprises a substantially cylindrical body having the bottom wall 352, which is closed and has the tapered surface 355, and the top edge 351 between which spans the sidewall 354.
• the top edge 351 may be configured to fit to cap designs as desired.
• the flexible insert 350 attaches to the top wall of the housing (e.g., item 304 of FIG. 12).
• the top edge 351 of the flexible insert 350 comprises an attachment feature 357 for attaching to an inside surface of a top wall of a housing of a cap.
• the attachment feature 357 is an opening in a center of the top wall 351.
• the top edge 351 comprises an attachment feature 359, which is a channel through a diameter of the top wall 351.
• the external geometry of the flexible insert 350 is sufficiently complementary to open lumen Luer connectors for engaging.
• the flexible insert 350 engages with an open lumen in Luer connectors such as a catheter or stopcock, the complementary inner Luer wall applies radial pressure on the insert to make an interference fit.
• the flexible insert 350 may define a cavity chamber inside the insert. Walls of the flexible insert 350 maybe breathable and/or porous, which may provide a channel, orifice or air path to connect the inside chamber to outside of the chamber of the insert to allow compression.
• the flexible insert may be a solid material that is soft to compress longitudinally so when the cap is attached to male and closed female Luer connectors such as needleless connectors and IV tubing end, it may retract toward a top wall at a closed end of cap housing, but rigid enough radially so it can form enough interference with open Luer such as catheters or stopcocks.
• a cap comprises: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and an inner thread on an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the first cavity; and a flexible insert attached to the housing and disposed adjacent to a surface of the disinfection sponge.
• FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional perspective top view of the cap according to FIG. 12 in assembled form.
• the cap 300 comprising the housing 302, the top call 304, the sidewall 306, the open bottom 808 defining the opening 310, is shown with the flexible insert 350 in position.
• the flexible insert 350 resides in a hollow defined by the disinfection sponge 200, which in turn resides in the cavity defined by the inner surface of the protrusion 314.
• the sidewall 306 defines a cavity 312, which is available for receipt of a hub of a connector.
• the disinfection sponge 200 upon assembly, the disinfection sponge 200 is in direct contact with an interior surface of the top wall 304.
• a peel seal can be provided to seal the opening 310 prior to use of cap 300, for example, by attachment to a surface of a rim of the open bottom 308 of housing 302.
• the peelable seal comprises an aluminum or multi-layer polymer film peel back top.
• the peelable seal is heat-sealed or induction sealed to the open end of the cap.
• the peelable seal comprises a moisture barrier.
• the cap 300 can receive a tip or hub of a needleless connector, for example after the peel seal sealing cavity is removed or when the peal sealing film is pierced, within the cavity 312 and secure, for example, threadedly, the tip of the needleless connector within the cavity 312.
• FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary assembly 400 of a cap 100 in a cross-section side view and a medical connector 450 in a partial side schematic view according to an embodiment.
• the cap 100 comprises the housing 102, the protrusion 114, the elongate member 130, the insert 150 snap fit and slidably engaged with the elongate member 130, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 450 is a female medical connector with an open female Luer port, which may be, for example, a needleless connector such as a catheter or stopcock, comprising an open lumen 452, a lumen edge 454, and male threaded fitting 458.
• the male threaded fitting 458 of the connector 450 engages with the inner threads 122 of the inner surface of the protrusion 114.
• a complementary inner wall e.g. Luer wall
• the lumen edge 454 pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 104 at a closed end of the housing 102, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge 454.
• the insert 150 inhibits 21 and/or prevents disinfectant from ingressing into the lumen 452.
• cap 400 provides a protective cover for a female Luer connector when engaged with the connector when a threaded fitting from the female Luer connector engages and forms a releasable connection with the inner threads 122 of cap 400.
• FIG. 18A illustrates an exemplary assembly 410 showing a cap 100 in a cross- section side view and a medical connector 460 in a partial schematic view according to an embodiment
• FIG. 18B illustrates a cross-section of a portion of the medical connector 460.
• the cap 100 comprises the housing 102, the protrusion 114, the elongate member 130, the insert 150 snap fit and slidably engaged with the elongate member 130, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 460 is a male medical connector, which may be, for example, an IV tubing end, comprising an open lumen 462, an edge 464, and a female threaded fitting 468.
• the female threaded fitting 468 of the connector 460 engages with the outer threads 124 of the inner surface of the protrusion 114.
• the prongs on the insert 150 expand radially outward to allow the insert 150 to move along the elongate member 130 and retract to top wall 104 at a closed end of the housing 102.
• the edge 464 pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 104 at a closed end of the housing 102, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge 464.
• the insert 150 inhibits and/or prevents disinfectant from ingressing into the open lumen 462.
• cap 410 provides a protective cover for a male Luer connector when engaged with the connector when a threaded fitting from the male Luer connector engages and forms a releasable connection with the inner threads 122 of cap 410.
• FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary assembly 420 showing a cap 100 in a cross- section perspective top view and a medical connector 470 in a partial side perspective view according to an embodiment.
• the cap 100 comprises the housing 102, the protrusion 114, the elongate member 130, the insert 150 snap fit and slidably engaged with the elongate member 130, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 470 is a female medical needless connector, comprising a lumen edge 474, a septum 476, and male threaded fitting 478. Upon assembly, the male threaded fitting 478 of the connector 470 engages with the inner threads 22
• the lumen edge 474 pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 104 at a closed end of the housing 102, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge 474.
• the prongs on the insert 150 expand radially outward, to allow the insert 150 to move along the elongate member 130 and retract toward the top wall 104 at a closed end of the housing 102. This motion prevents the insert 150 from pushing on the septum 476 of the needleless connector 470, which avoids opening a fluid path and creating fluid leakage.
• cap 420 provides a protective cover for a female needless connector when engaged with the connector when a threaded fitting from the female needleless connector engages and forms a releasable connection with the inner threads 122 of cap 420.
• FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary assembly 500 showing a cap 300 in a cross- section side view and a medical connector 450 in a partial side view according to an embodiment.
• the cap 300 comprises the housing 302, the protrusion 314, the flexible insert 350, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 450 is a female medical connector with an open female Luer port, which may be, for example, a needleless connector such as a catheter or stopcock, comprising an open lumen 452, a lumen edge 454, and male threaded fitting 458.
• the male threaded fitting 458 of the connector 450 engages with the inner threads 322 of the inner surface of the protrusion 314.
• a complementary inner wall e.g.
• cap 500 provides a protective cover for a female Luer connector when engaged with the connector when a threaded fitting from the female Luer connector engages and forms a releasable connection with the inner threads 322 of cap 500.
• FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary assembly 510 showing a cap 300 in a cross- section side view and a medical connector 460 in a partial schematic side view according to an embodiment; and FIG. 18B illustrates a cross-section of the male connector of FIG. 21.
• the cap 300 comprises the housing 302, the protrusion 314, the insert 350, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 460 is a male medical connector, which may be, for example, an 23
• IV tubing end comprising an open lumen 462, an edge 464, and a female threaded fitting 468.
• the female threaded fitting 468 of the connector 460 engages with the outer threads 324 of the inner surface of the protrusion 314.
• a complementary inner wall applies radial pressure on the insert 350 to make an interference fit with the inner wall.
• the edge 464 pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 304 at a closed end of the housing 302, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge 464.
• the insert 350 inhibits and/or prevents disinfectant from ingressing into the open lumen 462.
• the bottom surface of the insert 350 can cover the open lumen 462, thereby mitigating disinfectant ingress.
• the insert can provide a sealing function to hold pressure from the liquid in the central lumen and fluid path, preventing leakage.
• FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary assembly 520 showing a cap 300 in a cross- section perspective top view and a medical connector 470 according to an embodiment.
• the cap 300 comprises the housing 302, the protrusion 314, the flexible insert 350, and the disinfection sponge 200.
• the connector 470 is a female medical needless connector, comprising a lumen edge 474, a septum 476, and male threaded fitting 478.
• the male threaded fitting 478 of the connector 470 engages with the inner threads 322 of the inner surface of the protrusion 314.
• the lumen edge 474 pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 304 at a closed end of the housing 302, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge 474.
• cap 520 provides a protective cover for a female Luer connector when engaged with the connector when a threaded fitting from the female Luer connector engages and forms a releasable connection with the inner threads 322 of cap 520.
• FIG. 23 diagrammatically illustrates a cap 600 in a cross-section side view according to an embodiment.
• the cap 600 comprises a housing 602, a top wall 604, a substantially cylindrical sidewall 606, an open bottom 608 defining an opening 610, a protrusion 614, a flexible insert 650, and a disinfection sponge 200.
• the insert 650 resides in a hollow defined by the disinfection sponge 200, which in turn resides in the cavity defined by the inner surface of the protrusion 614.
• the sidewall 606 defines a cavity 612, which is available for receipt of a hub of a connector.
• the protrusion 614 is positioned within the first 24 cavity 612 and can be essentially cylindrical and coaxial with the sidewall 606.
• the opening 610 is disposed at the open bottom 608 of the housing 602.
• An inner surface of the top wall 604 can form a top of cavity 612.
• the protrusion 614 is integrally formed with the housing 602.
• the protrusion 614 is attached to the top wall 604 of the housing 602 by, for example, a snap-fit attachment.
• the top wall 604 comprises an elongate ring 605 having an interior surface 607.
• the flexible insert 650 comprises a top wall 651 with an extension 653.
• the protrusion 614 comprises an upper lip 615 that has a shoulder 616 and an edge 617.
• the upper lip 615 of the protrusion 614 fits into the elongate ring 605, where the edge 617 of the upper lip 615 engages with the interior surface 607 of the elongate ring 605.
• the extension 653 of the top wall 651 of the insert 650 resides in the shoulder 616 of the protrusion 614.
• the protrusion 614 is formed separately from the housing 602 and is snap fit into the elongate ring 605.
• the protrusion 614 there are inner threads (not shown) on an inner surface of the protrusion 614 having a size and pitch to engage a threaded fitting of a female connector, such as for example, a female Luer connector.
• a female connector such as for example, a female Luer connector.
• the inner threads are sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the female needleless connector such as a threaded fitting with male threads.
• outer threads 624 are sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a male needleless connector such as a threaded fitting with female threads.
• the protrusion 614 can include one or more cantilevered prongs separated by one or more respective gaps.
• protrusion 614 can extend essentially from an inner surface of the top wall 604 toward the open bottom 608 of the housing 602. In one or more embodiments, the protrusion 614 can extend essentially parallel to the sidewall 606 of the housing.
• a peel seal can be provided to seal the opening 610 prior to use of cap 600, for example, by attachment to a surface of a rim of the open bottom 608 of housing 602.
• the peelable seal comprises an aluminum or multi-layer polymer film peel back top.
• the peelable seal is heat-sealed or induction sealed to the open end of the cap.
• 25 the peelable seal comprises a moisture barrier.
• the cap 600 can receive a tip or hub of a needleless connector, for example after the peel seal sealing cavity is removed or when the peal sealing film is pierced, within the cavity 612 and secure, for example, threadedly, the tip of the needleless connector within the cavity 612.
• FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective top view of the flexible insert 650
• FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective cross-section view of the flexible insert 650 and the protrusion 614 of FIG. 23.
• the flexible insert 650 comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a bottom wall 652, which is closed and has the tapered surface 655, and the top edge 651 between which spans the sidewall 654.
• the top edge 651 may be configured to fit to cap designs as desired.
• the flexible insert 650 comprises an attachment feature 659, which is a channel through a diameter of the top wall 651.
• the top wall 651 of the flexible insert 650 comprises an extension 653 that fits into the shoulder 616 of the protrusion 614.
• the edge 617 of the protrusion 614 engages with the elongate ring of the housing (item 605 of FIG. 23).
• the external geometry of the flexible insert 650 is sufficiently complementary to open lumen Luer connectors for engaging. When the flexible insert 650 engages with an open lumen in Luer connectors such as a catheter or stopcock, the complementary inner Luer wall applies radial pressure on the insert to make an interference fit.
• the flexible insert 650 may define a cavity chamber inside the insert. Walls of the flexible insert 650 maybe breathable and/or porous, which may provide a channel, orifice or air path to connect the inside chamber to outside of the chamber of the insert to allow compression.
• the flexible insert may be a solid material that is soft to compress longitudinally so when the cap is attached to male and closed female Luers such as needleless connectors and IV tubing end, it may retract toward a top wall at a closed end of cap housing, but rigid enough radially so it can form enough interference with open Luer such as catheters or stopcocks.
• This flexible insert is suitable for unisex disinfecting caps for use with various medical connectors as known by those skilled in the art, including those disclosed herein.
• a lumen edge pushes the sponge 200 toward the top wall 604 at a closed end of the housing 602, allowing disinfectant to be dispensed onto the lumen edge.
• a complementary inner 26 wall e.g. Luer wall, applies radial pressure on the insert 650 to make an interference fit with the inner wall, which mitigates and/or prevents disinfectant ingress into the lumen.
• the caps herein can be made from any of a number of types of plastic materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or any other moldable plastic material used in medical devices.
• the caps comprise a polypropylene or polyethylene material.
• caps herein can further comprise an outer housing implementing the safety features and designs described in US patent applications No. 62/488,266 filed April 21, 2017 and No. 62/523,506, filed June 22, 2017, for example by modifying top walls, sidewalls, and/or housing.
• the caps herein e.g., 100, 300, 600
• the caps herein can be implemented with various venting features and designs described in US patent applications Nos. U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 15/408,278 and 15/408,187, both filed on January 17, 2017, for example by modifying shape and/or size of protrusion, and/or configuration (such as pitch, spacing, thickness, and/or other structural features) of inner threads and/or outer threads, and/or configuration of inner surface and/or outer surface.
• the medical connector comprises a needleless injection site, which may sometimes be referred to as a needleless injection port, hub, valve, or device, or as a needleless access site, port, hub, valve, or device, and which can include such brands as, for example, Clave® (available from ICU Medical, Inc.), SmartSite® (available from Cardinal Health, Inc.), and Q-SyteTM (available from Becton, Dickinson and Company).
• the caps herein e.g., 100, 300, 600
• a further aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method of disinfecting a medical connector.
• the method comprises connecting the cap of one or more embodiments to 27 a medical connector, wherein connecting includes engaging the threads of the medical connector onto the threads on the inner or outer surface of the second cavity of the cap upon insertion of the medical connector into the cap such that the medical connector contacts the absorbent material and the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent.
• the exemplary caps of the present disclosure are capable of continuous disinfection of a connector and minimize ingress of microbial agents.
• exemplary caps (100, 300, 600) engage with male Luer connectors and also with female Luer connectors thereby allowing the user to clean different types of connectors with a single device.
• the female Luer connectors is inserted into the second cavity and screwed onto the inner threads of the exemplary caps.
• the male Luer connector is inserted into the second cavity and screwed onto the outer threads of the exemplary caps (100, 300, 600).
• the disinfectant of the disinfectant sponge contacts the female Luer connector after insertion of the female Luer connector into the second cavity of the exemplary caps (100, 300, 600).
• the disinfectant of the disinfectant sponge contacts the male Luer connector, the female Luer connector, and the hemodialysis connector after insertion of the connector into the second cavity of the exemplary caps (100, 300, 600).
• the devices disclosed herein can be mounted onto both male and female Luer connectors, thus fulfilling a current need in the art.
• a further aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an assembly.
• the assembly comprises the cap of one or more embodiments connected to a medical connector.
• the medical connector is selected from a male Luer connector, a female Luer connector, and needleless connector.
• a cap comprising: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical 28 sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a threaded fitting of a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity; and a pressure seal attached to the housing and disposed adjacent to a surface of the disinfection sponge.
• the pressure seal comprises an elongate member and an insert, wherein: the elongate member extends from an interior surface of the top wall of the housing; and the insert comprises: a bottom wall, and an essentially cylindrical insert sidewall, the insert sidewall forming a chamber and a top edge of the insert sidewall defining an aperture; the insert slidably engaging with the elongate member.
• a cap comprising: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical 30 sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity, the disinfection sponge comprising a slotted end; an essentially cylindrical sponge sidewall defining a hollow and an open end; and a sponge end wall; and a pressure seal disposed in the hollow of the disinfect
• a cap comprising: a housing comprising: a top wall; an essentially cylindrical sidewall forming a first cavity; and an open bottom formed by the cylindrical sidewall with an opening to the first cavity within the housing for receiving a hub of a medical connector; and a protrusion extending from the housing and positioned within the first cavity, the protrusion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the protrusion defining a second cavity, an inner thread on the inner surface of the protrusion, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a female medical connector, and an outer thread on the outer surface of the protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of the medical connector comprising a male medical connector; a disinfection sponge configured within the second cavity, the disinfection sponge comprising a slotted end; an essentially cylindrical sponge sidewall defining a hollow and an open end; and a sponge end wall; and a pressure seal disposed in the hollow of the disinfecti
• the medical connector is selected from a male Luer connector, a female Luer connector, and a needleless connector.
• the disinfection sponge comprises a disinfectant, an antimicrobial agent, or combinations thereof.
• [00181] 37 The cap of embodiment 36, wherein the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting essentially of: isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, 2- 32 propanol, butanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene, t-butyl-hydroquinone, chloroxylenol, chlorohexidine, chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorohexidine gluconate, povidone iodine, alcohol, dichlorobenzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, hexetidine, triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, octenidine, antibiotic, and mixtures thereof.
• the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting essentially of: isopropyl
• a method of disinfecting a medical connector comprising: connecting the cap of any preceding embodiment to a medical connector by engaging threads of the medical connector onto the inner thread or the outer thread of the protrusion such that an edge of the medical connector contacts the disinfection sponge and the pressure seal inhibits disinfectant ingress into a lumen of the medical connector.
• a medical assembly comprising the cap of any of embodiments 1 to 42 connected to a medical connector.
• a disinfection sponge can comprise any suitable disinfecting or other application- specific substance, and can be made of any suitable material.
• the inner and/or the outer housing of the cap can be single shot molded, or made by other suitable process.
• any of the features or elements of any exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above and illustrated in the drawing figures can be implemented individually or in any combination(s) as would be readily appreciated by skilled artisans without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• 2020
  • 2020-08-05 US US17/631,662 patent/US12329925B2/en active Active
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